Founded in 2023, STEMM FEM is a student-led, student-funded club at Dawson College that continues to grow and expand, now reaching beyond the college level into universities. The club is dedicated to building a supportive community that empowers individuals from underrepresented groups to pursue and thrive in science and medicine.

The Communications Office spoke with co-founder Alexa Blasato and current members Samantha Bierd, Tristan Peirce, and Amélie Zurawski about the club’s impact and evolution. Here is the Q&A.

FOUNDER QUESTIONS

What inspired you to start STEMM FEM at Dawson?

Alexa Blasato: “Women can’t be good doctors.”

That was the first comment I ever received at just ten years old after sharing my passion for medicine on an online science forum. It was followed by many others, telling me to cook, wash dishes, reducing me to a literal tool with a narrowly defined purpose. Ironically, before I revealed that I was a woman on the platform, my scientific contributions received the most attention.

I remember feeling a deep sense of disbelief and genuine shock that people still openly thought this way. My peers at school told me to ignore it, that it was just a troll and not representative of our “evolved” society that is supposedly built on equality and freedom. Yet, ten years later, I can attest that such discrimination has not disappeared; it has simply changed. Whether through biased administrators or subtle, yet persistent, remarks from fellow students, I have encountered misogyny at nearly every stage of my journey towards medicine. Science, in many ways, remains constrained by white, heteronormative frameworks rooted in longstanding systems of exclusion and oppression.

However, instead of allowing these structures of inherited privilege and power to silence me, these experiences became a catalyst for action. They shaped my commitment to advocacy and ultimately led me to co-found STEMM FEM at Dawson College with my partner Gaëlle Charron-Holguin, in November 2023. Today, we are a student-led organization dedicated to empowering and supporting underrepresented individuals in science and medicine. As we work toward becoming a registered non-profit, our mission remains clear: create spaces, opportunities, and visibility for those who have historically been excluded, so that every individual, regardless of who they are, knows that they belong in the world of science and medicine.

How has the club evolved since its first year?

Alexa: Since our first year, STEMM FEM has grown in recognition, membership, and impact. Our debut gala was small, but by our second year, we gained so much momentum that we quadrupled our number of attendees, doubled our panelists, and secured sponsorships.

What’s also changed significantly is the scope of what we do. In the beginning, the gala was our primary focus. Now, STEMM FEM has expanded beyond a single annual event. We actively organize collaborations with other clubs, host community initiatives like charity runs, and continue to develop new events that extend our impact throughout the year.

Now, as we prepare for our third annual STEMM FEM Gala, we are expecting that growth to continue, both in scale and in influence. Beyond becoming a non-profit organization, STEMM FEM plans to establish chapters at McGill University and Concordia University, while staying rooted at Dawson College, where it first sprouted.

What impact have you seen on members personally or academically?

Alexa: After our very first gala, one attendee shared that it was the first time in her life she had seen someone who looked like her thriving in a scientific field. That moment has stayed with me, and it’s a sentiment I continue to hear. When people can see themselves reflected in the spaces they feel excluded from, it changes what they believe is possible for their future. That is the foundation of STEMM FEM: to create the kind of inclusive and empowering environment that many of us science-and-medicine-loving people never had, but deeply needed.

At the same time, I’ve also noticed a powerful shift in engagement from men. When I first began speaking about STEMM FEM and hosting events, there was limited awareness of the disparities that exist in science and medicine at Dawson. In fact, at our first Gala, only one man attended, and it was my friend.

Many others who were interested initially hesitated to show up, often feeling embarrassed or unsure, even if they themselves came from underrepresented backgrounds due to their ethnicity, religion, or sexuality. However, today, that has grown to dozens upon dozens of attendees actively supporting the mission.

To me, this dual impact is what makes STEMM FEM so much more meaningful. Our organization empowers those who are underrepresented, while also building a community of allies who also wish to drive that change forward.

Anything else you would like to say?

Alexa: If you have a passion for science, medicine, or both, pursue it, and do it relentlessly. Don’t let anyone convince you that you’re not capable, not your peers, not a grade on a test, not even someone in a position of authority. One moment, one setback, or one opinion should NEVER define your path. Let the lack of representation be your motivation to change the world and let doubt fuel your determination rather than limit it. Be the person to go against the odds, prove people wrong, and be inspired if you’re the “first” in the room. Always remember to create the space you wish existed, and, in doing so, you’ll make it possible for others to follow.

MEMBER QUESTIONS

How has being part of the club influenced your confidence or goals?

Samantha Bierd: As the youngest member of STEMM FEM, I am surrounded by the best role models who influence my confidence and goals every day. Being a first-year health student is not easy by any means, from personal experience it’s taken me a lot of time to get used to this jump from high school, and the path to getting to a better place was filled with many problems and a lot of hard times. However, having someone like Alexa who was there to guide me through the challenges made this first year so much easier. When I needed advice, help with a class, or simply just someone to vent too, Alexa was there for me. As I questioned my place in my program and wondered if I’d be able to accomplish my goals, she reminded me time and time again that I was capable of anything I set my mind to. So, being able to participate in STEMM FEM alongside Alexa, and all the other amazing members of our club, has made me a more confident person, a person who’s ready to take on life’s challenges and do all it takes to accomplish my goals.

Can you share a memorable experience or event?

Samantha Bierd: The most memorable moment for me, Samantha Bierd (president), was the 10K run. I am by no means a runner, so when the idea was first brought up, I was hesitant. I feared judgement, and was scared I’d embarrass myself and the team. However, I pushed through these feelings and we continued on with the initiative and I am so glad we did! It was truly a memorable day, getting to run with the support of my closest friends, and the amazing STEMM FEM team is something I’ll never forget. The support for one another that day as we cheered each other on from the sidelines is what really meant the most. As well, for my first big initiative as president, being able to raise over $1400 towards the McGill Women’s Sports Program only amplified my passion and motivated me to continue dreaming big when it comes to STEMM FEM.

What makes this club different from other student groups?  

Tristan Peirce: STEMM FEM is built around a shared interest in both science and social equity, and like all clubs, the people who join do so with a common goal in mind. What makes our club unique is our emphasis on impact outside of Dawson. Many student groups focus on activities for their own members, but STEMM FEM’s activities are designed around the larger community. Our annual gala, fundraisers, and events are all intended to facilitate broader conversations about representation and accessibility in STEMM fields.

Practically, STEMM FEM also operates differently from most student clubs. We are independent from the Dawson Student Union, so our operating budget comes entirely from donations, sponsorships, and organized fundraisers. In addition, the club exists across multiple educational institutions, currently including Dawson College and Concordia University, with expansion to McGill University planned for the next academic year.

Why should other students get involved?

Tristan Peirce: At its core, STEMM FEM is about equality in science. Society benefits when people are not excluded from opportunities or spaces because of unchangeable characteristics like gender, background, identity, etc. Diverse perspectives strengthen scientific research and problem-solving.

What are the plans for next school year?

Amélie Zurawski: We have some really exciting plans for the next school year. I, Amélie Zurawski (Vice President), will be working on bringing STEMM FEM with me to McGill, while Alexa Blasato (Founder) will continue supporting STEMM FEM from Concordia and is also looking into expanding it there in the future. Samantha Bierd will remain in her role as President and will be looking for new members to help run STEMM FEM at Dawson College. Of course, the gala will take place again next year, as it has now become a yearly tradition. We would also love to bring back the STEMM FEM 10K, once again collaborating with McGill as we did this year and potentially establishing it as another annual event. As we continue to grow and expand our capacity, we also hope to host more events and workshops, and find new ways to support minorities in STEMM.

Why did you choose La Maison Bleue as your beneficiary?

Amélie Zurawski: For any event, it is a difficult decision to choose where charity donations should go. However, it becomes even more challenging when considering that this event is meant to wrap up a year’s worth of work by STEMM FEM. It is important that the charity represents everything we stand for: equity, inclusion, diversity, empowerment, and community. We believe that this is what La Maison Bleue does. It focuses on community by being Montreal-based and creates equal opportunities for underprivileged groups, particularly women and children in vulnerable situations. Contributing to equity, diversity, and inclusion in STEMM does not begin in the teenage years or adulthood, nor does it end when someone finishes school or enters the workforce. STEMM FEM strives to help build a world where anyone feels safe, supported, and free to thrive in their passions — an effort that extends beyond any single stage of life and continues until these values are fully reflected in our society.

Photo: from left to right: Samantha Bierd, Tristan Peirce, Alexa Blasato, and Amélie Zurawski